A need to preserve the magic of tradition prompted the Aga Khan Trust for Culture to organize a festival dedicated to the khanaqahi qawwali of Amir Khusrau. The event, held in New Delhi in March 2010, aimed to become an authentic sama — a gathering where both the qawwal (singer) and the participants are united in spiritual ecstasy.

Sufi music is no longer contained within tradition; on the contrary, it is fairly common in Bollywood films these days. With qawwalis being made to blend with techno beats, their rich history and the philosophy behind their performance stand the risk of being forgotten. The volume, JASHN-E-KHUSRAU: A COLLECTION (Roli, Rs 1,995), is based on the qawwali festival but includes a wider discussion on Sufi music, making an effort to defeat such forgetfulness. Click here to read at the source: telegraphindia.com.